Switching arrangement for automatically effecting select photographic functions

Abstract

A photographic apparatus is disclosed having a sensing mechanism for adjusting automatic photographic functions of the apparatus in accordance with particular film characteristics of the film to be used. Included in the sensing mechanism is a plurality of sensing arrangements operable between different sensing states, which number of states is in excess of the number of sensing arrangements, responsive to different coding arrangements, on respectively different containers for effecting a select photographic function according to the film characteristics represented by the coding arrangement.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a photographic apparatus having means operable for effecting a photographic function, means for defining a receiving chamber capable of removably receiving one of a plurality of selectively dimensioned film containers, means associated with said chamber for sensing different coding arrangements carried on the containers, the coding arrangement being indicative of a particular characteristic of the film contained within the container, and means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said operable means so as to effect a select photographic function corresponding to the characteristic of the film, the improvement wherein: said sensing means includes a plurality of sensing arrangements operable between different sensing states, which number of states is in excess of the number of sensing arrangements, responsive to different coding arrangements on respectively different film containers; and   said sensing arrangements include a stationary switching member and a pair of movable switching members, each of said movable switching members being independently movable into and out of engagement with said stationary switching member so that individually each of said movable switching members has two states of operation and collectively provide four states of operation, and said means for controlling said operable means includes means for indentifying each of said four states and altering said photographic function in accordance therewith.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the film containers include coding means comprising a tactile discontinuity indicative of a film characteristic of film contained therein, and said movable members are arranged for cooperation with said discontinuity so as to cause movement or nonmovement of one or both of said movable switching members with respect to said stationary member. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the coding arrangement of the film container includes an elongated discontinuity located on a given surface of the film container, and said movable switching members are located in said receiving chambers so as to be cooperatively engaged by the elongated discontinuity when the film container is properly positioned therein, said movable switching members being arranged such that each one-half of the length of the discontinuity effects the state of one of the movable members respectively. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coding arrangement of the film container includes a raised elongated portion located on a given surface of the film container, and said movable switching members are located in said receiving chamber so as to be cooperatively engaged by said raised portion when the film container is properly positioned therein, said movable switching members being biased into engagement with said stationary switching and engaged to be disengaged therefrom by said raised portion of the container such that each one-half of the length of the raised portion disengages one of the movable members respectively whereby the lack of a given one-half of the raised portion permits engagement of its associated movable member. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the raised portion is located on an elongated surface of the container with the raised surface traverses the longitudinal axis thereof, said stationary member is arranged in said chamber to be traverse this container axis, and said movable members are arranged parallel to this container axis in overlying relation to the location of the raised portion. 
     
     
       6. In a photographic apparatus having means operable for effecting a photographic function, means for defining a receiving chamber capable of removably receiving one of a plurality of selectively dimensioned film containers, means associated with said chamber for sensing different coding arrangements carried on the containers, the coding arrangement being indicative of a particular characteristic of the film contained within the container, and means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said operable means so as to effect a select photographic function corresponding to the characteristic of the film, the improvement wherein: said sensing means includes a plurality of sensing arrangements operable between different sensing states, which number of states is in excess of the number of sensing arrangements, responsive to different coding arrangements on respectively different film containers;   said sensing arrangements include a stationary switching member and a plurality of movable switching members, each of said movable switching members being independently movable into and out of engagement with said stationary switching member so that individually each of said movable switching members has two states of operation and collectively provide a multiple number of states of operation, which multiple number is a function of the product of the number of switching members and their respective switching states, and said means for controlling said operable means includes means for identifying each of said states and altering said photographic function in accordance therewith.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the film containers include coding means comprising a tactile discontinuity indicative of a film characteristic of film contained therein, and said movable members are arranged for cooperation with said discontinuity so as to cause movement or nonmovement of one or both of said movable switching members with respect to said stationary member.